St Nicholas combines church, halls and accommodation in a richly detailed 1950s complex whose materials and open planning express post-war confidence.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1955–1957
- Architect / designer
- Ross, Doak and Whitelaw
- Type
- Festival of Britain-style church, halls and former church officer’s accommodation
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB52143)
- OS grid reference
- NT 19465 70637
Architecture and continuing use
The roughly Z-shaped group brings a double-height church and hall together with a smaller two-storey range. Brown and grey brick, exposed aggregate, slate panels and copper roofing create strong contrasts. Canted glazed sections, saw-toothed clerestory lighting, coloured entrance tiles and a slender belfry animate the exterior and continue into a notably intact interior.
Its story
The parish began in 1939 in a temporary wooden building. Ross, Doak and Whitelaw won the competition for the permanent complex, built in 1955–57 after building restrictions eased. Sunday-school children across Scotland helped fund the project through small regular gifts, giving rise to the name “Children’s Church”. It opened on 9 September 1957 and remains in worship and community use.
Why it is included
It is the only unused designated building that can be placed confidently in this cohort, and it links architectural experimentation with the social infrastructure of Edinburgh’s post-war western neighbourhoods.
What to notice
- Slate-clad canted wall sections beside narrow glazing.
- Coloured square tiles in the recessed entrance vestibule.
- The concrete relief of St Nicholas and children’s gifts.
Reading the surroundings
Respect worship, community lunches and other activities. Check current church information before seeking entry and use public routes around the busy road junction.
Timeline
- 1939 The parish began in a temporary wooden church serving new western communities.
- 1955–1957 Ross, Doak and Whitelaw’s competition design was constructed.
- 9 September 1957 The permanent building opened after a nationwide Sunday-school fundraising appeal.
- 17 December 2013 The church complex received Category B listing.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Historic sources differ on whether the present building opened in 1957 or 1959; the HES designation gives the precise date 9 September 1957, which is followed here.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: St Nicholas Parish Church, Wester Hailes Road, LB52143 — Current designation status, official mapped location, date, fabric and significance.
- St Nicholas Sighthill Parish Church: worship information — Current congregation information confirming continuing Sunday worship at the church.
- City of Edinburgh Council: St Nicholas Parish Church — Current council directory entry confirming community use and the 124 Sighthill Loan address.
Location
OS grid reference NT 19465 70637 · Location confidence: High for the current HES designation point; Place assignment and access are separately qualified. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.